Category: Hair Products

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Hair Loss InformationAccelerate Hair Growth After Transplantation – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have recently seen a product called ‘Oat-Beta Glucan’ which a friend of mine had been recommended to be applied to his head after hair transplants. What do you know about things that make hair transplants grow better and faster, and how do they work?

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In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final rule allowing health claims to be made on the labels of foods containing soluble fiber from whole oats (oat bran, oat flour and rolled oats), noting that these foods, in conjunction with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. In order to qualify for the health claim, the whole oat-containing food must provide at least 0.75 grams of soluble fiber per serving. The soluble fiber in whole oats comprises a class of polysaccharides known as beta-D-glucans.

There are copper peptide solutions that are used after surgery which have claims to accelerate hair growth. I have not seen that result. I do use them on occasion because these products have some value in reducing the redness of wounds in people who have strong tendencies to develop redness when scratched. This persistent redness is caused by histamine release at the neurovascular junction points under the skin, at the site of a scratch. To get the benefit of reducing this redness in those prone to it, the solutions must be used immediately after the surgery and then twice a day for about a week. The classic person who has this problem has very fair skin, often red or blonde hair or has a history of persistent redness after scratches. You can test yourself by scratching you arm with your fingernail. If you have such a tendency, the scratch will turn red within a minute.

To summarize your exact question, there is no reference to hair stimulating effects of ‘Oat-Beta Glucan’ following a hair transplant in what I was able to find. When I was in Vietnam, many locals believed that putting cow dung on the hair stimulated hair growth. It is was also used to treat fresh war wounds when modern medicine was not available for those wounded in the war. Both ‘Oat-Beta Glucan’ and cow dung have about the same value for hair growth as much as I can tell.

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Hair Loss InformationLow Laser Light Therapy for Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have heard reports of using unusual wave lengths of light to stimulate hair growth for MPB. Is there any documented results on this work? Is there any application in stimulating growth in newly transplanted hair?

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I have been doing the Laser Light Therapy for the past 4 months with No positive results yet, if fact it seems to have made my hair loss worse. Do you have any data on this therapy?

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I have been bombarded with questions about Low Laser Light Therapy (LLLT) for hair growth stimulation since I started writing the BaldingBlog. The above are just two recent examples which reflect the wide variations in questions, one of which was already answered in a previous entry. To address these questions, I have prepared and will continue to prepare more updated information on the laser’s mechanisms of action and benefits as understood by the medical, scientific and commercial establishment. This summary should serve to supply an overview of the subject on LLLT. Until a well controlled FDA quality study is in our hands, we will not be able to judge with any degree of certainty whether or not the laser will become an important part of today’s hair loss treatment armamentarium. The wide enthusiasm for the technology in the United States today has been preceded in Europe for many years. I expect to review the European and American literature sometime in the next month or so.

Please read the new Low Laser Light Therapy page at newhair.com for more information.

With regard to the second person’s question: the laser should not cause hair loss, so I would expect that this person is going through a rapid loss period that is coincidental to the laser treatment, or has some medical cause of hair loss that needs proper medical assessment. It is important to seek the help of a competent doctor when something like this occurs.

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Hair Loss InformationDateline NBC on Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

There was a great story on NBC last night, where Dateline followed five men on different hair treatments for 12 months. It compared Propecia, the laser comb, Minoxidil, a European fish oil claimed to grow hair, and hair transplants.

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Hair Loss InformationBalding in Young Man and Shampoos – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

i am 21 yrs old, and am experiencing receding hairline. in no means am i bald, but i suspect i will be in a few yrs time. for now, i have been using propecia daily. i just wanted ur opinion on what products i should use for hair care-shampoo and gel. for shampoo, so far i have been using pantene pro v, and instead of gel i use coconut oil everyday. are these products ok to use, or is there something better u would suggest? also, is it ok to shampoo and style my hair daily, or is that bad for u hair? please let me know. thanks dr.

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For MPB (Male Pattern Balding) Propecia is the best way to prevent or retard its progression. With regard to the various shampoos, none that I know of has proven to be a greater value than others, when it comes to hair loss. I generally tell patients to use what they like, what works for them, to experiment with many until you find the right match and to follow the recommendations of the product manufacturers for dry or oily hair. Frequent shampooing does not hurt, but aggressive massaging during shampooing and rough brushing will cause fragile hair to break easily. I personally like the smell of coconut shampoos and use them often!

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Hair Loss InformationAvodart and Mixing Shampoos – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr. Rassman.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I also wanted to ask you about going on Avodart (Dutasteride) or it’s Generic Dutagen. I have been on Propecia since 1999, and I think it is no longer working. I read Merck’s official report on Propecia’s 5 year efficacy, and it looks like after 5 years Propecia stops growing any hair at all, and it’s ability to keep hair is weakened. Dutasteride appears to block 93% of DHT production, where Propecia can only block 38-45% DHT. Can I get a prescription form you or Dr. McClellan? I am noticing that my “own” non-transplanted hair is thinning, and hopefully the Dutasteride or it’s generic version can stop any more loss.

Also, I am using Nizoral shampoo (Ketoconazole) 2 times a week, and Head and Shoulders shampoo (Pyrithione Zinc) on the other days. Is it safe to mix the Ketoconazole and P. Zinc? A friend told me that the P. Zinc can cause miniaturization of the hair follicle, and mixing the 2 shampoos can have disastrous results. Then on the the other hand, many people on online hair loss forums are saying it is fine to mix the two shampoos. Only using Nizoral 2x a week does not stop my newly acquired incessant itching. It would be great if I knew it was safe to use Ketoconazole and P.Zinc.

Thank you so much for you time, I’m sure you hear all these worries all of the time. Now that I see my new hair sprouting, I want to keep it growing, and keep or grow more of my own.

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Here is a link to some of my other posts with my comments on Avodart. I will make a decision with regards to prescribing Avodart in early September, after I return from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery meetings in Sydney, Australia.

With regard to the various questions you had concerning the shampoos you mentioned, I really do not know the answer, as many people respond differently to each. Experiment with each and when you find something working, then stick to it. Mixing shampoos should not be a problem.

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Hair Loss InformationHair Dye – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hair dye, it’s long term use and potential adverse health affects, has received a lot of media coverage recently. Do you think that hair-dye should be avoided? Is there any such thing as a safe hair-dye?

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Dyeing your hair is not as good as not-dyeing your hair. Many people point out that when they dye their hair they get more breakage. Anytime you apply chemicals to your hair you are changing what nature thinks is the best. Periodically, I hear of people who develop hair loss from dyeing their hair. I suspect that toxic chemicals or high doses of chemicals are being used that cause this hair loss. I am often surprised by the failure of such hair to return in the most extreme cases. There is no doubt in my mind that some people overdo their hair coloring, changing it frequently and in effect ‘abusing’ their hair. Anything done in excess is not good. With regard to long term use, be responsive to what you see. Take a break from the dyeing periodically, going back to your normal hair color to see if it makes your hair better. At least, this way you will know how far from normal you have migrated to.

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Hair Loss InformationFragile Hair and Hair Gels – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr, may I know what is the difference between normal hair gel and alcohol free hair gel? Does alcohol free hair gel provides less damage than normal hair gel?

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Anything that dries out the hair shaft will make the hair more fragile, so the use of alcohol based products may cause more drying in those individuals who already have dry hair. We are all different, so I generally tell people to experiment with the various product offerings and see what works for you. If your hair is in the balding phases, it will tend to dry easier, making it more fragile, so alcohol could be a problem for those with genetic balding.

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Hair Loss InformationpH Value, Shampoo, and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can you tell something regarding the change in pH value when using shampoos? I am 20 yrs old and I am using a mild shampoo which I use 3 to 4 times a week. Will that change any pH value and affect me?

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The pH value measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). The range of healthy skin and hair is 4.5 to 5.5. You should choose your shampoo by what makes your hair look great. The type of shampoo and frequency of use will not cause hair loss.

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Hair Loss InformationHair Potions and Lotions – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

What do you think about all of the vitamins and other things sold in the health food stores that claim that they reduce or reverse hair loss?

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The word ‘claims’ in this usage, reflects the lack of scientific proofs for naturally produced substances sold in heatlh food stores. Many of the items sold are sold on their potential and a ‘hipe’ that is created by word of mouth. There is little regulation for natural food additives, so there is no way to determine the proof of the claims that are made. Some of the natural substances may have DHT blocking abilities, as claimed, but there is no proof of such activities.

It is common to find substances sold in health food stores that claim DHT blocking properties. There is no way to confirm or deny this, so it again becomes a ‘buyer beware’ issue, leaving the final action in the hand of those willing to spend the money on it. At least Propecia is a proven DHT blocker and we know that because it has been thoroughly investigated by the drug company to meet a high standard of FDA regulations. We also know about the side effects (very low) and long term use statistics. A large company behind this medication tells us that someone is accountable if things go wrong. I can not say that for most of what is sold in the health food stores.

For example, Saw Palmetto, is thought to be a natural DHT blocker, and there are various articles that purport to prove it is an effective DHT blocker. But, a recent article that I read in a well respected medical journal indicated that it was a very weak DHT blocker. Did you know that Saw Palmetto was added to the GI’s food in World War II battle zones to suppress the soldiers sex drive so that they would not get distracted? Now if you link these two (weak DHT action and sex drive suppressant), why would anyone want to take it?

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Hair Loss InformationHair Coloring After Transplant – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr. Rassman.
First I would like to thank you and Dr. McClellan, for doing such a great job. It has only been a week since my surgery 1,700 grafts. 5 Years ago I had 1,100 grafts. Healing is occurring quite rapidly, and I feel the positive results around the corner.

I have somewhat fine, and curly hair age 38. Auburn brownish is my natural color. Redhead when I was younger. My father grayed heavily in his thirties, as did my brothers & I. I use either “Grecian Formula”, or “Just for Men” 5 minute hair coloring. (Light Brown to get as close to my natural color as possible). About a month prior to surgery, I had my hair highlighted bleach blonde, and the results were fantastic. I looked a lot less bald, with wonderful full blonde curls, and my brown underneath. It looks so natural and subtle that everyone thinks I have just been in the sun for a week. I am very pleased with this coloring. Because I only highlighted, the brown color treated area remains, its brown status.

The main question becomes at this point, is when can I use the “Grecian Formula”, or the “Just for Men 5 Minute Hair Coloring again as my base?

And, when can I “bleach” highlight again?
A) My regular area.
B) Donor, and Transplanted area.

Thanks again to Dr. McClellan for doing such a great job last week.

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Thank you for your kind words! I am hesitant to post this for fear that readers may think this is a ‘planted’ question, but you do raise some issues that have not been addressed in this blog. You can begin to color or bleach your hair once there is no more scabbing present and the skin is smooth. This usually happens within the first after surgery (in some people in days). I generally advise people to dye their hair immediately prior to the surgery so that there is no significant disruption to their schedules.

You also bring up an important point on the value of hair coloring. Lightening the hair always adds the look of fullness. In a question posed to me on April 21st (see: Platinum Blonde Patients), the question of blonde hair came up in a different context. That question has bothered me since it came in and as I looked through hundreds and hundreds of patient photos, fewer blondes were in my hair transplant group than non-blondes. Then I realized that the lack of blondes in my database of photos came about for two reasons:

  1. There are fewer blondes in the population (estimated at less than 10%). We are led to believe that the actual number is higher because there are many, many blonde women. Could it be that because ‘Blondes have more fun” women are becoming blonde far more frequently than men are?
  2. A platinum blonde man can lose 85% of the hair on the front, top and crown without knowing that he is going bald. This is because of the low color contrast between hair and skin color and that the shiny hair platinum blondes have makes balding less prominent.

In conclusion, men who are balding should think more like you and consider taking charge of coloring like some of the women out there are doing regularly. Maybe, just maybe, coloring can solve the hair thinning problem without a hair transplant for those who are not quite bald yet.